Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-09-28
TOOK 1T ALL BACK.
Why Tom Traxal Changed his
Opinion of School-Ma'ams.

Mrs. Birch was IN tho wide farm kitchun,
making pies, when Tom cnme in, whistIing
morrily. Tom WIS her nephew, OF whom
sho was wont 20 says
"GOing 20 college nev0r spoiled Tom one
bit. lio II just tho same manly, ubliging
fellow he was before hs went 10 Harvard,
and mover turns up his nose at the quiet
country ways Of his old home"
'Hcrc you are, auntie!" he cricd, depos-
itlng basket ON the tahlo--'cggs, butter
md beams! Tho nanny will be over after
dinner 20 help you. How many new board
ers tO-dayW
'Only one, Tom. That makes four in
all. The last ono Is n friend OF Miss FL
more's-teachcs IN the same school"
Tom whistlcd. but IL was a signal OF dis
may, not CHEEKY tune.
snow, Tom," his aunt pleaded, perhaps
she will not DO so dreadful as you mag
ine.D
Tom looked doubtful.
"a friend Of Miss Elmoro's, aud a
Yankee schOol.marm, and not DREADFUL
oh, auntiel"
"You saury boyi Don't you " ant to got
me an Rrmful of woodl Sarah is down ut
tho dairy"
The armful Of wood deposited beside the
stove, and several other little ichOres"
cheerfully performed, Tom started home
ward again, the clear musical whistle onco
more ringing out in n brisk tune. lie was
handsome follow, Thomas Traxnll, Of
Woodhnvcn, the owncr of n splendid farm,
where his widowed mother reigncd as a
queen. lie had gone 90 college TO please
her. studied faithfully, graduated honor
ably, and added the polish society gives TO
tho Unborn courtesy Of n true gentleman.
But he did not care 20 study profession,
or establish himself I'm n city business,
loving the free outdoor life on the farm,
aud using his brains TO direct the hands Of
the men he employed. He was n rich man
In the small country place, and his mother
had servants 90 do her bidding, aud, Us her
neighbors said, half enviously, "never need
wash so much as tca-cup unless she'd a
mind to-"
"Mothcr," Tom said, entering the cory
room where the old lady was sewing,
"send Jerry over TO Aunt Sarah's for
awhile, will you, and toll him TO do any
little work she wants done. Pm not going
over"
"why, Tom" said his mother, "whatovcr
Il the mnttcri"
Then her face caught tho reflection of n
suppressed merriment in his, and sho
laughed, softly hut heartily.
"Miss Elmore:" she said, presently.
"No, but n friond she has sent. Come,
nanny, put away your work; I'm going
60 drive you ovor to the Falls until dinner
tipio."
The Falls. favorito resort Of WOodhnv.
en- people, was n branch OF the river two
miles away, and fell over great rocks in a
wood, whore tho murmur Of the leaves
was drowned la the rush and roar Of the
cataract.
A the carryan drove up, Toms eyes es.
pied n stranger seated upon the trunk of a
fallen trcc, watching the tumbling, foam
ing waters. The noise OF their approach
was lost in the soft grass and roar OF the
waters, and the lady did not look up as
the carryall drew near.
SO Tom had a fair chance 10 500 face
whose beauty OF colorins and feature had
the charms Of youth as we'll. A crown Of
short golden curls was half hidden under
large shade hat, pushed back 10 leave
exposed n small oval face, with large vio-
lot eyes and delicate features. The
figure was small, aud daintily clad
IN gray travelling suit, aud
the tiny foot. half hidden by the gray
skirts, wore a stout walking boot. She
started as the young man sprang from his
soat TO fasten the horse, but, seeing the
Eweot-faced old lady Tom was carefully
assisting, sank back ON her seat again.
''Good morning." Mro. Traxall said.
ssQood morning" the stronger answered
On a low, sweet voice. "Plcase tell me
ore you from woodhaven"
ayes"
''Then you can direct NE there start
from the D. station TO walk ove' Il
Woodhavcn- l have walked until 1 an
tired, aud am resting here"
"Dut you must have made the wrong
turning at Smiths Farm"
"Where tho roads forki"
"Yos. You took the ono TO the left.
Vol, you must DO tired. Rut we can
frivs you back, that's ono comfort"
"Oh, thank you'll But-bave you the
rOOny"
"Seats for four. and wo are hut two.
Where are you stopping at WoOdhaysns"
II am TO board at Mrs. Birch's."
''My sister'sw
"Oh, Is shef That Is nice. My name n
RrOwno--Fanny Browne"
"And mine IL Traxalll This Il my
kon.D
And Tom. who had not lost ono word Of
This conversation. came forward TO bc
formally introduced.
There was much pleasant. easy chat rs
be lay on the grass ut his mothers feet,
jwhcre his eyes csuld rest upon the lovely
face that grew animated with conversa-
ti"n aud gradually lost tho weary look Il
bad worn al lrst Thew talked Of books.